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You spend hours toiling into the night to get those grades and we get it: you already work hard—but are you working smart? These small (and seemingly strange) tweaks make the most of your time and squeeeeze those study sessions for optimal productivity. Try these study hacks before your next big exam.

Refresh Your Font

Got lots of reading to do in very little time? Convert the font to 14-point Times New Roman. Studies show readers consume words in this font and size swiftly and with accuracy.

Banish Multitasking!

Think you're being super productive by juggling more than one task? According to studies, you're actually derailing productivity and being less efficient with your time. In a series of experiments, three researchers found that the more frequently the subjects switched from task to task, the more time they lost. This is because our brains take a few moments to catch up when we're switching gears. To make the most of your study session, focus on one task, complete it, and then move on to the next. You're saving the precious minutes it takes your mind to adjust to a new effort.

Pony Up!

You may not like this one, but studies show that students who pay their own tuition or work throughout college produce higher grades than their freeloading classmates. (Just kidding! We know you're not a freeloader, but does your GPA?) One researcher found that financial aid provided by parents directly lowered students' grades. Although this may seem counterintuitive (after all, having to work means you'll have less time to study), some students mentioned that when crunched for time, they felt compelled to really focus and were motivated to do well because they understood the value of an education.

Smells Like an A!

Does passing your next test require mega memorization? Try inhaling a unique scent while studying and then again while taking your exam. An intriguing study suggests that properly used, scents may be a powerful trigger in helping to revive memories. More evidence is still being gathered, but it can't hurt to try a new perfume, can it? (Just make sure your classmates don't mind!)

Lucky Number 7

It's commonly assumed that lower temperatures keep us more alert and productive, but this compelling study found that test subjects made significantly less mistakes when the temperature was raised from 68 degrees to 77. The researchers concluded that sitting in a chilly room directs a person's energy toward keeping warm instead of staying focused, thus, diminishing brainpower. This trend continued in another study, which found that 77 degrees is optimal for memory retention. Before hitting the books, keep that magic number in mind when you're setting the thermostat.

Let There Be Light!

Instead of plugging away under fluorescents, work outside or by a window. This research concludes that studying in natural light reduces sleepiness and improves cognitive performance. Even if you tend to study in the evenings, getting prime time outdoors and soaking up some rays (using proper UV protection, of course!) each day will keep your mind sharp.

Get Smarter with LearnSmart!

LearnSmart is an innovative technology program that quizzes you on your course material and actually adapts to your behavior, continually adjusting based on what you know and what you don't know, helping you strengthen weaker skills. It's like having a private tutor and is proven to raise your grade. Best of all, you can purchase LearnSmart regardless of what book you're using in class; it syncs with your course—not your titles. Find LearnSmart for your course here.